Download the Windows 8.1 Enterprise Preview now

What’s New in System Center 2012 R2 – free MVA Jump Start

Bring Your Own Device: Microsoft IT’s approach to security, unified device management, and centralized governance

Now available: Windows 8.1 Enterprise Preview and resources

You can now download the Windows 8.1 Enterprise Preview to test in your organization’s environment. This preview adds premium features designed to address the mobility, security, management, and virtualization needs of today’s enterprise. New features include Windows to Go Creator, Start Screen Control, DirectAccess, BranchCache, AppLocker, and Windows Enterprise Side-Loading. Check out this post for more details and resources, and download the Windows 8.1 Enterprise Preview to try it yourself.

Free expert-led training for Windows Server 2012 R2

Missed the live event in July? Now you can view the recording of the MVA Jump Start led by Microsoft Senior Technical Evangelist Rick Claus and Cory Hynes from HOL Systems. Learn about the new capabilities available in Windows Server 2012 R2 in this free, demo-rich course.

Installation and Deployment: New System Center 2012 SP1 virtual labs

In these free new virtual labs, you will perform the initial configuration of System Center 2012 Service Pack 1 – Virtual Machine Manager (VMM). See how you can enhance the management and reporting of the virtual machine environment, learn how to install the Operations Manager (OpsMgr) agent and configure it to integrate VMM with OpsMgr, and discover how to integrate Orchestrator to enable workflow automation.

Edge Show: Storage with System Center 2012 R2 Virtual Machine Manager

Join Microsoft’s Symon Perriman and Hector Linares, a Senior Program Manager on the System Center team, as they talk about new storage capabilities in the upcoming System Center 2012 R2 Virtual Machine Manager. You will get details on the major storage enhancements and how they support changes coming in Windows Server 2012 R2, including SANs and Storage Spaces, streamlined storage management, and more.

Free expert-led training: System Center Extensibility

This free MVA course will teach you how to create your own plug-ins with System Center 2012 SP1 components, create service templates to manage multi-tiered applications as a single logical unit, integrate custom activities within a workflow, and monitor datacenter components and dashboards.

CSS announces availability of System Center Operations Manager Management Pack

Certified Security Solutions (CSS), a leading provider of certificate and PKI management software and services, announced the immediate availability of a System Center Operations Manager management pack for the Certificate Management System (CMS).This management pack provides the ability to generate System Center Operations Manager alerts on impending certificate expirations – even for certificates that are not installed on Windows Servers.

Office Garage Series: Office 365 versus the Louisiana Bayou

Filmed in New Orleans, host Jeremy Chapman is joined by collaboration expert Mark Kashman to take a look at expanding collaboration scenarios from Site Mailboxes in SharePoint Online to Lync with multi-HD video to social sharing of content and ideas through Yammer. Jeremy also teams with local survivalist Jeff Galpin as he ventures out into the Louisiana Bayou armed with a 4G Windows Phone and an ultrabook to see if he can truly stay productive even in the wildest conditions.

Infrastructure as a Service: Windows Azure and PowerShell

Matt Hester welcomes the Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, to the show to discuss Windows Azure Infrastructure Services and PowerShell. Tune in as they chat about some of the potential PowerShell scenarios IT pros can implement in Azure and get some tips on how you can get started with Azure and PowerShell today.

Microsoft IT helps users embrace Office 365 ProPlus

Take a look at how Microsoft IT used innovative channels to help Microsoft users prepare for and embrace the new Office, resulting in a successful deployment with increased productivity and reduced support costs.

How Microsoft IT built an enterprise cloud strategy

Learn how Microsoft IT built a team to evaluate cloud options, implement a hybrid strategy, and drive adoption. Find out what challenges Microsoft IT faced during the process and learn how you can build a compelling business case to influence internal leaders.